'Some years travels into divers parts of Africa, and Asia the great. Describing more particularly the empires of Persia and Industan: interwoven with such remarkable occurrences as hapned in those parts during these later times. As also, many other rich and famous kingdoms in the oriental India, with the isles adjacent. Severally relating their religion, language, customs and habit: as also proper observations concerning them.' [‎88] (109/448)

till
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the faireft Stones or Diamonds thence prefented the Mogul) had a vehement delire to
vifit and fearch the intrinfique of that precious piece of Earth which report had U) fuffi-
ciently blazoned, as he wasaffured would abundantly compenfate his pains and hazard.
Dhmoni- This famous Diamond-mine is diftant from Mefulifatan about fourfcore and ten
Miles i the neareft Village is called Mercanda. The Mine it felf is a large Rock under
partof that Mountain which extends towards Bellagmte (the Alps of thofe parts) at
the foot whereof runs a quick ftream our European Merchants name Chrifiem, which af
ter forty miles flux increafes another River, and in the latitude of about eighteen de
grees North, in one Channel empty themfelves into the Gulph of Bengala. The foil for
many miles round (by realbn of the extream heat) is barren and fandy. but near the
Mine the Earth appears to be of a ruddy colour, albeit the Vein it felf is of a pale yel
low. No part of the World for fuch a fcope of ground affords greater plenty of Dia
monds than this, or of a better water, thofe of Socodania m Borneo not excepted, al
though many be yellow- The Quarry alfo has feveral other tranflucent ftones which
want neither beauty nor efteem j namely. Topazes, Amethyfts, Spinels, Heliotropes and
other forts of Agats, Garnats, Cryftals, and the like. The diftribution of the ground
when the Mine is expofed refembles a Lottery : fome for their adventure hapning to
find ftones much to their advantage, others to lofs. In digging, if a Diamond exceed
tvVenty Carafts (a Carad is four Grains,) fuch by the Law of that place are referved
for the King *, but under that weight, for the Adventurer. When the Mine is open, as
the number is great of thole that from moft parts refort thither, lb the Guard increa
fes anfwerably, thereby to give the better fecurity: Howbeit, the danger is greateft in
travelling, the Mountaineers fuppofmg that few come or go empty, and therefore for
the moft part Merchants confort in Carravans, and for their Money are fufficiently
guarded. Afelec jlmher withlefs lulpicionbut more fiibtilty (heartily glad ot this frefh
Rebellion, the Moguls troubles bringing peace to his Empire) fends an Ambaflador to
Carroon, well attended, with Letters of affedion, and a large fum of Money, and other
neceilaries; with an invitation into Decan (if need were) where at all allays he fhould
command his utmoft. Hope oft fancies that to be facile in the attainment, which rea-
fon in the event Ihews difficile: fo as prudence we fee is of force, where force prevails
not: For perceiving his defign about the Diamond-mine fruftrate, very hearti
ly accepts the invitation v but after three months ftay in that Country, weary of idle-
nefs, projeds the recovery of his old Eparchy of Brampore: and fo without long ad
vice bids Amber farewel; and with ten thouland Horfe divided amongft AhduLchan^
Mahomet Tackhieck^ and Jacnf-chan, fliews himfelf again before Br amy ore, but was for
bad entrance by Radgee Rufian (appointed Governour there by Sultan Pervoces ;) Which
fo enrages Curroon, that after he had breathed out a thoufand fruitlefs threats, he affaults
the walls with violence - , but by Ruftan as churlilhly anfwered, and with great lofs com
pelled to retreat to Chanchanna's curious Gardens, there to ruminate. Howbeit, Abdul-
chan is fo tranfported, that he mounts again and advances his Standard *, yet was alfo
forced to march away, being well beaten by Rpiftang\ who filled the Ditch with the Car-
caffes of Abduls followers. Mahomet Tackieckjat twi-light tries his deftiny, charging fo
furioully, that in defpight he mounts the wall, and wasfo bravely followed, that in
fmall time he enters the Citadel, and on many parts of the battlement fiourifhed his
Colours in fign of Vidory, and as a call to Abdul-chan to fecond him: but Abdul (poi-
Ibned with envy to fee a Merchants Son poffeffpr of fo much glory,) forbears to fuccour
him ; fo that this heroick Captain (too far engaged) was affailed by Ruftan and At fit-
chan with fuch eagernefs that hfs Company were cut in pieces, and Mahomet ftruckdan-
geroufly in his eye, yea, (after as much proof of valour as was poffible) was taken and
rifoned. In this fort (the fecond time) has Abdul-chan forfeited Cwrroon the vido-
ry^ yet conceals the reafon in his breaft, and goes unpunifhed. Whiles Sultan Vemees
andcontinue their queft ; and receiving notice of the Siege ofBrampore,
hafte thither with Chan Alen, Radjea Stertfmg and a great Army of Rafhpoots: but Cur-
roon (premonifhed) feeing no good likely to be done, arifes with his Army and falls to
wards Bellaguate, in the way attempting Hajfer ; but miffing it re-delivers Rant as alfo in
to his enemies hands, and once more tztuxtisto Melee Amber t\\z]XdX.Kerki in which
now feems to be the receptacle of his misfortunes.
Hajfer (five courfes from Brampore as you pafs to Agray, the ftrongeft and in all ad
vantages the beft defended Caftle through ChandisJ is built upon the top of a precipiti-
ous Mountain, walled by Nature, and by its largenefs capable to feed and lodge forty
thoufand Horfe *, for, within are Springs of wholefome Water ^ the Earth alfo fo fruit
ful in Herbs, Corn, and whgt elfe is requirafele for defence or pleafure : and upon all
fides
Haffer de-
jcribei.